NEW DELHI, July 29 (Xinhuanet) -- The India government advised Thursday its citizens against traveling to Iraq in consideration of the serious security situation in that nation.

    In view of the seriousness of the current security situation inIraq, the government of India advises its citizens to defer visitsto that country for the time being, the Indo-Asian News Service cited the External Affairs Ministry as saying.

    The advisory came as negotiations for the release of three Indians taken as hostages in Iraq continued for the ninth day, against the backdrop of intensified bombings by resistance groups.

    On Wednesday, at least 68 people were killed and over 50 otherswounded in a suicide car bomb attack in the southern town of Baquba in Iraq.

    More than 5,000 Indians are estimated to be working in Iraq. Enditem